what are some signs of when you know that you have to do a rebuild??

 

Here's one: Your bank account gets large enuf to afford a Big Block Kit!

Happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Wont start due to low compression.
Clanking sound due to piston, rod, bearing, ring, valve, valve guide problems.
No oil pressure.
A lot of blowby causing oil to blow out the tube even though the oil isn't overfull.
Oil in the coolant. Coolant in the oil. Oil in the exhaust. Coolant in the exhaust. Leaks and cracks in stuff.

Sometimes you take the head off and find problems only in the head. So, that is all you fix.

Sometimes there is a need for speed like Mikey said.

 

for me it was a warped head / bad head gasket ( from getting too hot too many times )... white smoke ( actually steam ) out of the exhaust ... & why not rebuild it, if you are opening it up, if you are planning on keeping it ???